Is cursing bad? Are you desensitized to it? Does swearing show maturity?

[CT-1138 3,182]

Swears are just words and cannot be either good or bad. It's how they are used that defines their merit, as it is with any words. Swearing is more of a social taboo, like nudity, than it is an actual bad thing such as violence. I would actually rather a child be exposed to the word "fuck" or to exposed breasts than I would for them to encounter domestic violence.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

With how many words changed from respectable to profane and vice versa as well as the fact that there are still to this day words that are innocent in one language and may be obscene in another and vice versa I don't believe that is the case. The word "vagina" actually literally meant "sheath" in Latin giving it a similar context to the English "C word" but is today considered a respectable term. "Fanny" is a cutesy nickname for a butt in American English but is a somewhat vulgar slang term for vagina in British English. Interesting thing about profanity though is that multiple studies have actually confirmed that it is a rather effective pain killer by stimulating the "lower" more reptilian parts of the brain which is probably also one of the reasons some people may utilize profanity during sex as well though I won't go into too much detail about that due to rules and all.

 

So one should be conscious of their words in all times and places. Words may evolve, but profanity itself is a constant. One that I take pains to avoid, personally.

[碇 シンジン 27,431]

I dont like swearing. I dont think it is necessary.

 

These days i see almost everyone swear my brother sister and people around me. People on TV do it everyone does it.

 

when i was young i didnt think it was a big deal. I learned to swer in kindergarten. my family is religious and my parents dont swear. I sweared in my childhood but at the age of 7. I realized something.

 

These words arent just any words.. they have meaning. I no longer have the power to say swear words out loud. Every time i see or hear someone swear i feel it inside of me.

 

I dont see any purpose where it would be acceptable to swear..

[Shanks 10,816]

So one should be conscious of their words in all times and places. Words may evolve, but profanity itself is a constant. One that I take pains to avoid, personally.

I am not saying that people shouldn't be conscious about what they but I think part of that is also trying to have a basic knowledge of where the words we say come from and why certain words have positive and negative connotations. In other words I think the argument that certain words are "good" or "bad" is a rather gross over simplification. Most people that argue that certain words are "good" or "bad" have no idea why that is the case so they are arguing this when they essentially have no idea what they are actually talking about.

 

There are all sorts of words and phrases people saying without even thinking about what they actually mean. There is one popular nursery rhyme for example that goes like "ring around the rosy, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down." That is fairly dark if you actually think about it especially if you know its origins as a reference to the Bubonic Plague which wiped out a significant portion of Europes population during the middle ages. Equally dark yet still treated as no big deal is the "rock a bye baby" song "rock a bye baby from the treetops, when the bow breaks the cradle will fall..." Why people sign this to babies and young children is honestly baffling to me.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I am not saying that people shouldn't be conscious about what they but I think part of that is also trying to have a basic knowledge of where the words we say come from and why certain words have positive and negative connotations. In other words I think the argument that certain words are "good" or "bad" is a rather gross over simplification. Most people that argue that certain words are "good" or "bad" have no idea why that is the case so they are arguing this when they essentially have no idea what they are actually talking about.

 

There are all sorts of words and phrases people saying without even thinking about what they actually mean. There is one popular nursery rhyme for example that goes like "ring around the rosy, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down." That is fairly dark if you actually think about it especially if you know its origins as a reference to the Bubonic Plague which wiped out a significant portion of Europes population during the middle ages. Equally dark yet still treated as no big deal is the "rock a bye baby" song "rock a bye baby from the treetops, when the bow breaks the cradle will fall..." Why people sign this to babies and young children is honestly baffling to me.

 

Yes, I know of all the origins of these words and phrases.

 

I'm not speaking of specific words being profane, I'm talking about vulgarity itself. Willful invocation of words that are considered socially unacceptable is something I personally do not do, whatever lexicon happens to be considered vulgar. It's simply consideration for others.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

As a Christian I have to say that I don't really understand how swearing is wrong. Damn and Hell are in The Bible. So how can it be wrong to say those? And words like "S***" and "F***" were not invented till long after those times so how can it be wrong to say those?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

As a Christian I have to say that I don't really understand how swearing is wrong. Damn and Hell are in The Bible. So how can it be wrong to say those? And words like "S***" and "F***" were not invented till long after those times so how can it be wrong to say those?

 

Well A) The Second Commandment is "don't take the Lord's name in vein." So cursing someone with God's name or wishing God's judgment upon them is co-opting the Divine's authority in matters of sin, thus a sin in of itself.

 

B ) Just because the Bible doesn't specifically say something is wrong doesn't mean it isn't. As Ziggy and Bane pointed out though, it's more the context that the words are used in than the words themselves.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

Well A) The Second Commandment is "don't take the Lord's name in vein." So cursing someone with God's name or wishing God's judgment upon them is co-opting the Divine's authority in matters of sin, thus a sin in of itself.

 

B ) Just because the Bible doesn't specifically say something is wrong doesn't mean it isn't. As Ziggy and Bane pointed out though, it's more the context that the words are used in than the words themselves.

That much I understand but not the other stuff.

[Bojo 1,172]

I completely agree with @Frostgage , it's about knowing when and where to swear.

 

Personally, I say bad words all the time when I'm with my friends (although I try to swear less when I'm with female friends since they usually don't swear that much as well), but I rarely swear when I'm with my family.

 

I can tell you one thing though... if you get used to them, it's likely that you won't give them much importance when they're used against you

[Discordian 6,015]

You'll have to forgive me. To me that makes the curse worse not better.

 

 

 

 

Bad habits should be broken.

 

 

 

 

Intent and effect are two different things. 

 

The blind man may not intend to step on a dog's tail, but he still should say sorry if he does.

Most assuredly there is a difference between intent and effect but your analogy is a little off. If a blind man steps on a dog's tail it harms the dog but swearing at god doesn't really harm others except those who choose to be harmed. Particularly since the only reason God is relevant is by name and it doesn't have to mean the Christian God. It'd be no different if someone said "fish damn it" in the way it's used.

 

The ones who take issue with it choose to do so.

[Edward Kenway 27]

To be honest, I don't think swearing's bad. It all depends on context, though. Friend-on-friend conversation? Yes, that's okay. At a game? Of course. At an interview? It gets a little shaky there - consider the job you're applying for.

[Tom Snyder 4,112]

Does swearing some something about you? Positive or negative?

Doesn't really say much about anyone in reality, its just a learned trait from either the parents or the people around you.

 

Is cussing a serious matter?

As others have said, it depends on the context.

 

Do you take steps to avoid cussing, or do you actively (or occasionally) swear, yourself?

Yes, i do. But there are times when it actually slips out, or when i'm ding a fic.

 

Do you notice when someone cusses around you? Does it bother you, or are you desensitized?

Yes and No. I do find it sometimes immature, but it doesn't really have any impact on me, by mother hates it; and tells me to stop if it ever manages to slip out.

 

Do you think the bible says anything about cussing?

I'm not sure if it does or not, cause i'm between darwinism and creationism.

Edited May 9, 2015 by Candy Star

[Steel Accord 6,660]

That much I understand but not the other stuff.

 

What other stuff do you not understand?

[Shanks 10,816]

That much I understand but not the other stuff.

That came from the ancient Romans, the Ancient Israelites did not believe that words such as fuck or shit were that big of a deal but the ancient Romans whose concept of profanity formed the basis of our own did regard words that revolved around certain body parts and functions are profane. The book I mentioned in my first post Holy Shit which is a history on profanity is a really informative read on this subject.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

What other stuff do you not understand?

Why it's wrong to say things like "S***" and "F***".

That came from the ancient Romans, the Ancient Israelites did not believe that words such as fuck or shit were that big of a deal but the ancient Romans whose concept of profanity formed the basis of our own did regard words that revolved around certain body parts and functions are profane. The book I mentioned in my first post Holy Shit which is a history on profanity is a really informative read on this subject.

I see. Interesting. I see I have much to learn.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Most assuredly there is a difference between intent and effect but your analogy is a little off. If a blind man steps on a dog's tail it harms the dog but swearing at god doesn't really harm others except those who choose to be harmed. Particularly since the only reason God is relevant is by name and it doesn't have to mean the Christian God. It'd be no different if someone said "fish damn it" in the way it's used.

 

The ones who take issue with it choose to do so.

 

Even if God is not offended, it would be awfully petty and thus mortal of Him if it were, it's still, as I've been saying, a matter of consideration.

 

Even if it's not the Christian God, the effect is the same. The speaker is invoking a Higher Power's judgement upon a person or thing that's inconvenienced, angered, or harmed them. It smacks of arrogance and wrath.

[Qliphoth 28]

 Call it a "crash of cultures" if you must, but from where i come from. Cursing is not such a big of a deal.

 

 You see, i am from south america (vivan los tacos) and there everyone curses. In fact, at my university everyone calls themself as "marico/a" which means something like "faggot" over there, is just our way to say "dude" which is my way to say: yeah, we curse kind of often. I have never related swearing to "being stupid" or "being inmature" it's just the way people talk, if they choose to say it that way they can, it's none of my business.

 

Look, what i'm saying is not "you should curse your way out of everything" it is: "yeah, don't take it so seriously. It's just a few words and their meaning are dictated by society" you decide the power words have over you, not who's saying them.

 

I mean, my nickname is qliphoth and none has ever tell me anything about "offending them" yet.

[Guest]

Doesn't really bother me when others do. But then again it just depends on the time and context of when it is used. I am a really easy going person anyways.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

I try to think of more creative ways to word my sentences rather than cursing, because cursing makes you sound loud as opposed to smart. I curse around my friends, and here sometimes, but that's the exceptions. Cursing rarely makes your speech sound stronger. It more often than not makes you sound childish and hotheaded. But, a lot of people must be the latter, because I'm completely desensitized to it due to my loudmouth friends in real life.

[Discordian 6,015]

Even if God is not offended, it would be awfully petty and thus mortal of Him if it were, it's still, as I've been saying, a matter of consideration.

 

Even if it's not the Christian God, the effect is the same. The speaker is invoking a Higher Power's judgement upon a person or thing that's inconvenienced, angered, or harmed them. It smacks of arrogance and wrath.

I guess it's a duality we'll have to live with. The phrase means both, yet neither. No one will agree on whether it's right, wrong or even a non-issue.

[Banul 3,831]

They're just words. I don't think that they are good or bad. There's a time to use them, and there's a time to not use them. I think its weird that people try to wrap morality around them.

 

I think they're great at conveying some strong emotions, and simple. 

[Notomi 66]

I dislike cursing a lot ;u;" hehe. I think it's pretty bad, and I get slightly nervous when my friends decide to say one of those kinda words, especially when it's out of no where. 

[SparklingSquirrels 21,341]

I don't swear. It does bother me when people do it sometimes, but I don't know why. I guess I grew up with my parents always telling me that bad words are, well, bad, and it kinda stuck with me.

[Side Bird 566]

Cursing is everywhere nowadays.

Doesn't matter how old or young you are you're gonna hear it probably somewhere.

Songs, TV shows, Internet, Movies, Friends, Parents.

When the next generation grows up hearing curse everywhere I don't think it'll be considered bad. As it isn't really nowadays either.

I've heard uptight Christians say "God F****** Damnit" all the time, everyone swears, and people take the Lord name in vain.

I've heard atheists say that, lol.

In a world when stuff like this is heard everywhere, people don't really consider it bad. 

Plus half the time the swears people make just make no sense.

I'm a walking piece of waste?

My grand mother is a female dog?

I'm a walking a** h***?

Are you staring at a piece of waste considered holy?

I'm your male friend?

The list goes on and on.

Did I just babble?

Probably so.

[kanashimi purinsesu 244]

i don't mind curse words at all even though i don't use them often. its just a way for somepony to express their feelings or just another way of speaking. like i know how some speak with ebonics, it doesn't bother me in the slightest because i can understand exactly what they are saying.